The tablet market offers a plethora of choices, and narrowing down your options can be daunting. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Toshiba Excite Write, known for its stylus input, and the Sony Xperia Tablet Z, lauded for its sleek design and impressive display. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which tablet reigns supreme.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Xperia Tablet Z Wi-Fi edges out the Toshiba Excite Write thanks to its superior display, more modern chipset, and generally sleeker design. While the Excite Write's stylus is a unique selling point, the Z Tablet offers a more well-rounded and contemporary experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | N/A |
| EDGE | No | No |
| GPRS | No | No |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, June. Released 2013, July | 2013, February. Released 2013, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 261.6 x 177.8 x 10.2 mm (10.30 x 7.00 x 0.40 in) | 266 x 172 x 6.9 mm (10.47 x 6.77 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | No | No |
| Weight | 671.3 g (1.48 lb) | 495 g (1.09 lb) |
| | Stylus | IP57 dust proof and water resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Shatter proof glass |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~299 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~63.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~64.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit IPS LCD | LED-backlit LCD, |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core Cortex-A15 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait |
| Chipset | Nvidia Tegra 4 | Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon 600 |
| GPU | ULP GeForce | Adreno 320 |
| OS | Android 4.2.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 8.1 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.2 MP | 2.2 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 3D surround sound |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS (market dependant) |
| Radio | No | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out) |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | HDMI port | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 110 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 890 h |
| Talk time | Up to 11 h (multimedia) | Up to 10 h (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Po (33 Wh) | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Black, White |
| Models | - | SGP311, SGP312 |
| Price | About 440 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.49 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.69 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -87.0dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 996:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 70dB |
Toshiba Excite Write
- Integrated stylus for note-taking and drawing
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Relatively affordable (when available used)
- Older chipset, potentially slower performance
- Display quality not as impressive as competitors
- Stylus may not be as precise as dedicated drawing tablets
Sony Xperia Tablet Z Wi-Fi
- Excellent display quality with high contrast
- Slim and lightweight design
- More modern chipset for better performance
- Reputation for build quality
- Can be difficult to find new
- Stylus not included
- Price may be higher on the used market
Display Comparison
The Sony Xperia Tablet Z boasts a stunning display with a reported contrast ratio of 996:1, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. While the Excite Write's display is adequate, it lacks the Z Tablet's visual punch and potentially wider viewing angles. The Z Tablet's display also likely has a higher resolution, contributing to sharper images.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on tablets from this era was generally not a priority. Both devices likely feature basic cameras suitable for quick snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level performance. The Xperia Z Tablet may have a slight edge due to Sony's image processing capabilities, but the difference would be minimal.
Performance
The Sony Xperia Tablet Z's Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 chipset (Krait architecture) generally offers better performance than the Toshiba Excite Write's Nvidia Tegra 4. The Snapdragon 600 was a more modern chipset at the time, providing a smoother multitasking experience and better responsiveness. The Cortex-A15 CPU in the Excite Write is capable, but the Snapdragon 600 typically outperforms it in real-world usage.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor. While specific battery capacities are needed for a precise comparison, the Xperia Tablet Z, with its more efficient Snapdragon chipset, likely offers slightly better battery life than the Excite Write, especially during intensive tasks. Both tablets should provide a full day of moderate use.
Buying Guide
The Toshiba Excite Write is ideal for users who prioritize note-taking and creative sketching with a stylus. If you need a portable digital notebook, this is a good option. The Sony Xperia Tablet Z Wi-Fi is best suited for media consumption, web browsing, and general productivity on the go, especially if you value a high-quality display and a slim, lightweight design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Toshiba Excite Write stylus included?
Yes, the stylus is integrated into the Toshiba Excite Write's design.
❓ Where can I find a Sony Xperia Tablet Z?
The Xperia Tablet Z is no longer in production, so you'll likely need to find it on the used market (eBay, Amazon, etc.).
❓ Which tablet is better for watching movies?
The Sony Xperia Tablet Z is the better choice for movie watching due to its superior display quality.
❓ Are these tablets still worth buying in 2024?
Both are aging devices. If you need a budget tablet for basic tasks and don't mind older hardware, they could be options. However, newer tablets offer significantly better performance and features.
